"The Chinese Government is greatly concerned about the safety of the Chinese workers, and an emergency mechanism has been activated for the rescue of the workers."

Qiu Xuejun, head of the Chinese working group sent to Sudan to help rescue Chinese workers who are missing or being held hostage after an attack on a Chinese company camp in South Kordofan State, speaking to the press in Khartoum on January 31

"We firmly oppose the use of force to resolve the Syrian issue, firmly oppose the practice of pushing through 'regime change,' which violates the purposes and principles of the UN Charter and the basic norms governing the international relations."

Li Baodong, Chinese permanent representative to the UN, speaking at an open meeting of the UN Security Council on the current situation of Syria on January 31

"This represents a major step forward toward closer and irrevocable fiscal and economic integration and stronger governance in the euro area. It will significantly bolster the outlook for fiscal sustainability and euro area sovereign debt and enhance growth."

European Council President Herman Van Rompuy, commenting on a new fiscal treaty finalized by EU leaders at the EU summit in Brussels, Belgium, on January 30

"The labor market is showing no sign of falling into hibernation, while actually it remains very robust."

German Economy Minister Philipp Roesler, commenting on data showing the unemployment rate in the country is down to 6.7 percent from 6.8 percent in last December, a record low since the country's unification 20 years ago